Sunday, August 29, 2010

This is the time of year in the garden to sit back and enjoy the bounty.

One of my favorite things to watch in the garden are the spiders. They weave such beautiful webs that glimmer in the morning dew. And spiders are everywhere in late summer.

This spider waited so patiently with the whole web wafting in the breeze. Hours and days on end undisturbed by the rest of the world. If only I had that much patience AND the ability to build such a beautiful web.

"Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder." EB White, Charlotte's Web

Monday, August 16, 2010

One of the things I love about small town life on the Oregon Coast is the simplicity. Here is a great case in point. If you are hiring an exterminator in the Portland Metro area you have your choice of:

Alpha Ecological

Natures Pest Control and Extermination Experts

Interstate Pest Management

Orkin Pest Control Services

Summit Pest Management

All with ostentatious titles. You get the idea.

When we asked at the coast (because the ant army isn't inside yet, but they are marching our direction) all the locals said to call,

Monday, August 9, 2010

Yes, in fact, there is an Idiotville. It really explains a lot. Each of us has probably been from there at some point in our lives and known other citizens as well.

It turns out this was once a logging camp and is now a ghost town located on our drive between Rockaway and Portland. The town overlooked the banks of the beautiful Idiot Creek. (I swear I am not making this up http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiotville,_Oregon ). Apparently it received such a distinguished name because it was said to be so remote that no one but an idiot would live there.

Over the past few days, we have had great fun coming up with town slogans and wording for tourist t-shirts. My favorite entry is from Della..."Idiotville – Where few live but many belong."

Sunday, August 1, 2010

This magnificent tree graces our backyard. It has survived many a beach storm to get to this size and serves as home to a whole community of animals. We call it the Lullaby Tree. Each morning before sunrise hundreds of birds start to sing welcoming in the new day. And then once it is light, off they fly to do their official bird duties all day long.

In the evening--just before dark--the birds arrive home. Sitting on the branches of the giant tree, they sing the sweetest lullaby you can imagine. Hundreds of individual voices in harmony sing to welcome each other home and thank the universe for another day. It is the most peaceful melody you will ever hear.

Then as soon as darkness falls, they settle quietly in their nests and the tree offers it's still protection.

About Me

The sea is as much a part of me as breathing and now I return to it. Coming from a long line of salt air loving people, my dream of owning slice of the Oregon Coast became a reality a decade ago. I am experiencing nature's wonder firsthand and learning what it is like to live so close to Netarts Bay and the Pacific Ocean.